Official Figures Proclaim Delhi Rape Capital of India

Manohar Luthra , Delhi: Jan 22, 2011

http://manohar.instablogs.com/entry/official-figures-proclaim-delhi-rape-capital-of-india/

As we know Mumbai is financial capital of the country, Kolkata cultural capital, Delhi has earned dubious distinction of being rape capital of the country. The city is notorious for being one of the world’s most unsafe cities for women. 1 of every 4 rapes in India is committed in Delhi.

Figures revealed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) of home ministry are startling. In 2010, 489 rape cases were reported in Delhi against 459 in 2009. The number of rape case reported in Mumbai and Bhopal were 189 and 117. Abduction and molestation of women is also on the increase in Delhi. 1379 out of total 3544 cases of abduction took place in the capital. New figures given by Delhi Police reveal that a woman is raped every 18 hours or molested every 14 hours in the capital. A staggering 56 percent accused in rape cases were below the age of 25.

Rape is one of the most violent form of crime against women, which not only impacts her bodily but in the long run impairs her capacity to develop meaningful personal and social relationships, and affects her life and livelihood”, minister of state for women and child development Krishna Tirath said in a meeting.

But why do women get raped? Rape has happened and it happens in all cultures, in all societies world over. It’s a tricky question. The society’s gender based inequality approach of course encourages crime against women. The perception will differ. A psychoanalyst may find reason for criminal tendencies in the upbringing of the rapist or in the lack of his education. A religious person may accuse women for provocation. Recently a Russian Priest claims women wearing miniskirts should not be surprised if they get raped.

“If she is wearing a miniskirt, it is provocation. If she is drunk at the same time then she is even more provocative and if she herself is actively seeking contact with people and the surprised when that contact ends in rape, she is wrong”.

Left to their judgement. But why Delhi is so vulnerable? Delhi girls don’t wear miniskirts on the streets, they aren’t drunk either, and then why are they targeted. Modesty of women in Delhi is always on stake. Everyone from little girls, six months old children to grandmothers become victims. Age is no barrier for crime against women. Is Delhi male so sex starved? It is difficult to decode DNA of a rapist.

The Delhi commissioner of police B K Gupta admitted that not all cases of rape get reported. According to some statistics only one in 69 rape cases in India are even reported, only 20 percent of these cases result in conviction of the rape accused. Very dismal situation as far as law to protect women in India for safety of women is concerned.

Police patrolling in Delhi is totally ineffective and for these reasons incidents of gang rape in the moving vehicles has become so frequent. Women are dragged in the vehicles, gang raped for 2-3 hrs while cruising on the capital roads without any fear of being caught.

In the worsening situation to save the capital from further disgrace, the government must do something urgently to control crime against women. Revamp of Delhi police force and more teeth to law to fight against this heinous crime against women is immediate need of the hour.